Must Read: The Devil Who Loved Me

7 years ago

Must Read: The Devil Who Loved Me

Most students wanted to hear what Timi had to
say, they knew National, they knew
Abayomi…they knew Timi was associated with a
candidate, they wanted to hear what he had for
them
“I am standing here not on behalf of myself but
on behalf of people who really want change in
this school. I am not going to sugar-coat any
words or give promises, I will tell you about this
people and why they deserve a chance to serve
you.”

With the silence in the hall, you could hear if
two mosquitoes were straffing..
“what is the biggest problem we face as a
student body?…some of you say security,
others say hostels..etc..you are not far from it,
but we think the biggest problem we face as a
student body is the right to be a student of this
great institution. We are all seated in this
auditorium…but how many of us have
completed the payment of our fees?. Many
brilliant people among us have no idea if they
would be allowed to write the examinations due
to non-payment of fees, the economy of Nigeria
is bad, our parents are doing their best…but
some of them can’t afford it because it is too
expensive”
A couple of “yes”…”beeni”..could be heard.
“this is 2007, you are still being forced to buy
books that are free online, this is 2007, the
campus doesn’t have a wireless network, even
schools not as prestigious as this have that!”
Students started clapping
“If with the limited resources provided to you,
you guys can still excel tremendously in your
various fields, imagine if you had the required
resources!”
Students were on their feet..clapping in unision
“ imagine if you didn’t have to worry about
excessive school fees only about your studies
and exams!”
“solidarity forever….” Hymns started in the
background
“imagine if everybody was free to roam the
streets of Ago-iwoye, ijebu-oru and ijebu-igbo
anytime, because the school has its own police
station, roaming the streets …providing
security”..

I didn’t know what Timi had smoked to the
lecture hall…but he was on fire
“lemme tell you about somebody, when we
were in 100L, during Chemistry practical
exams, we had limited amount of Petri-dishes
and conical-flasks…the department said there
was nothing they could do about it until they
got resources from the school, so the exams
was to be post-poned.., an anonymous student
went to Lagos that very afternoon and by the
next day, brought this items for the chemistry-
lab. This is not hear say…this student gave me
the items to deliver myself”
Many students remembered the episode but
when the items were brought in, they had
imagined the school had rescued them. Ofcuz I
remembered the episode…
“National and his colleagues held this mic some
minutes ago to address you, what they didn’t
know was that this wonderful mic that we use
today without saying “testing testing 123” like
before was provided by a student anonymously,
when the department started dragging their
feet on getting a new one”

Astonishing looks spread across the hall
“though this person would like to remain
anonymous…I refuse to let it remain so!”
The students started clamouring “Yes! Yes!
Yes!”
“I present to you a girl, who has never waited
for people to hand her things, but have instead
provided things for people…for the hungry…she
gave food…for the distressed she gave a
listening ear…and for the dancers…if you were
with us on Saturday she gave music!”
People started laughting..
“and most especially…her most important gift…
was her love. She is running as the vice-
president for Abayomi… I present to you Ms
Tana Dike!”

The applause was so loud, i didn’t hear on time
that my name was being chanted…
“Tana!….Tana!….Tana!….all eyes were on me…
Timi stretched his hand beckoning on me to
come to the front. Even Toun was cheering me
up ..
When I got to where he was, I know a
reasonable person was supposed to say “thank
you”, but I didn’t…instead I hugged him..
i hugged Timi..
Abayomi didn’t need to utter a word when he
breezed into the hall, he got cheers and a lot of
unknown handshakes. He came beside me,
grinning sheepishly..

Abayomi: what are all these about
Me: ask your campaign manager…he swept
everybody off their feet
Abayomi: including you?
Me: yes..
He stupidly winked at me.
Dr Nnamdi, the lecturer taking Bot 305 came
into the auditorium, bringing to an end a very
eventful morning.

After lectures I proceeded to the kakadu, Oru,
to have a meeting with Abayomi as regards the
incidence that happened during the rally on
Saturday. He was seated with a bottle of dry gin
and a bottle of coke
Me: drinking so early..what is happening boss?
Abayomi: we have to sort out our security
Me: yes I agree..
Abayomi: what do you want to drink?
Me: Schweppes lemon..

Abayomi: I heard it aint good for your health or
so
Me: I don’t have balls mahn….plus I think it’s
just rumor’s. No medical fact.
Abayomi: I think we should take uche’s offer..
Me: I am not comfortable with it
Abayomi: I listen to your fears regularly and you
know it, but I think this risk is worth it, we have
just five weeks before the election…we need the
money and the security
Me: but the monopoly is what I don’t like, what
of other people that woukld want to start up
their own game centres or cd stands?
Abayomi: how many game centres do you want
in a campus sef?..this is a campus o..

Me: Abayomi, you have the right to accept their
offer without asking for my attention, what is it
you want?
Abayomi: I want us to reach an agreement
together
Me: you won’t get that. I am sorry..

Abayomi: Uche gave me till this afternoon, or
they would shift camp to National’s..
Me: do what you have to to..i won’t support it..
Abayomi: please na..
Me: don’t beg me jor..i might not agree with
you. But you know I will have your back
Abayomi sipped his drink cooly, looked at me
for a while then picked up his phone..

Abayomi( on phone): uche howfar?
…..mehn…I dey o..
….yes I just finished talking to my people now…
…….no deal bro…the monopoly thing is the
sticky part..
…..yes I am sure
……I am sorry bro..
…no problem…National is all yours…
….i will take my chance bro…
He hung up..

Though I felt bad I had put Abayomi in a tight
position…he reminded me why he was my best
friend.